Budget

2025 legislative update and budget impacts for the next school year

On April 27, the Washington State Legislative session closed, and it was determined that the funding Tacoma Public Schools will receive from the state for the 2025-26 school year remains almost flat. For our total budget, we will receive a 1.25% increase for special education and a 1% increase for basic education. The minimal increases do little to address the estimated $30 million shortfall the school district faces. We anticipate ongoing rising costs of salaries, benefits, utilities, fuel, meals and building supplies. Therefore, we will need to make significant cuts to achieve a balanced budget for the 2025-26 school year.

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Budget News & Updates

Current Bargaining Agreements & Salary Schedules

Tacoma Public Schools has a philosophy of fostering respectful and positive labor relations. TPS is committed to this philosophy as we engage in labor relations and collective bargaining.
 

View current bargaining agreements & salary schedules

2025 - 2026 Budget

Tacoma Public Schools Budget by School Year

Budgeting by Priorities

Budgeting by Priorities is a budget process which “buys” results based on the district’s 5 Strategic Goals. The annual budget is based on how effectively programs provide results that the district and stakeholders value, rather than being based on the money allocated in the previous fiscal year. The benefits of the process include true alignment of expenditures to support the strategic goals, greater involvement in the budget process, and data driven decisions that remove the variability used to fund current initiatives.

Factors Influencing Budget